Conveying systems for automobiles and the like

ABSTRACT

A system particularly suited for conveying automobiles in automated car washes having a plurality of expansible fluid conduits sequentially positioned along a path which are adapted to receive fluid under pressure. Fluid pressure may be selectedly supplied to the fluid conduits in response to the location of the automobile wheel on the conduit to establish a conveying force acting on the wheel by expansion of the fluid conduit. For example, this may be accomplished by a pressure sensitive valve or a valve operated by a mechanical position sensor. In the former system, a sensing fluid flow is established through the fluid which is restricted when a wheel of the automobile is positioned on the conduit to create a pressure increase upstream of the restriction which is transmitted to the pressure sensitive valve for opening thereof to supply full operational fluid flow to the conduit. In the latter system, an automobile engaging member may be pivotally mounted and operatively connected to a supply valve to operate the valve upon pivotal movement of the engaging member.

Elite rown States Patet [54] (ZONVEYKNG SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMOBILES AND THELIKE [72] Inventor: Ced F. Brown, Redford, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Mike Torosian, Detroit, Mich. a

part interest [22] Filed: Nov. 23, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 92,053

52 US. Cl. ..104/1s5 51 Int. Cl. ..B6lb 3/00 [58] Field of Search..198/184, 129, 1; 104/155 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS3,045,611 7/1962 Murray ..104/l55 Primary ExaminerRichard E. AegerterAtt0rneyHarness, Dickey and Pierce [57] ABSCI A system particularlysuited for conveying automobiles in automated car washes having aplurality of expansible fluid conduits sequentially positioned along apath which are adapted to receive fluid under pressure. Fluid pressuremay be selectedly supplied to the fluid conduits in response to thelocation of the automobile wheel on the conduit to establish a conveyingforce acting on the wheel by expansion of the fluid conduit. Forexample, this may be accomplished by a pressure sensitive valve or avalve operated by a mechanical position sensor. In the former system, asensing fluid flow is established through the fluid which is restrictedwhen a wheel of the automobile is positioned on the conduit to create apressure increase upstream of the restriction which is transmitted tothe pressure sensitive valve for opening thereof to supply 'fulloperational fluid flow to the conduit. 1n the latter system, anautomobile engaging member may be pivotally mounted and operativelyconnected to a supply valve to operate the valve upon pivotal movementof the engaging member.

' 21 Claims, 6Drawing figures P'A'IENTEmum m2 sgesfioes SHEET 1 BF 2INVENTOR.

mtmimummz 3381.083 SHEEI 2 OF 2 mvENrolifig? ,5 raw/7 BY I CONVEYINGSYSTEMS FOR AUTOMOBILES AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY. OF THEINVENTION Conveying systems currently in use in automatic washingsystems for automobiles generally have a mechanical conveyor chain withattached projecting members which engage the automobiles to move thenthrough the various cleaning stations. With the prior art devices, thereis a possibility of inflicting damage to automobiles due improperengagement of the projecting members with the automobile. Anotherpractical disadvantage of the prior mechanical conveyor systems is theirsusceptibility to wear and corrosion. This problem is particularly acutein automotive car washes since it is difficult to maintain properlubrication of the parts of the conveyor due to their constant exposureto cleaning solutions. Furthermore, the prior art mechanical systems areoften objectionably noisy.

The present invention provides an essentially nonmechanical conveyingsystem for automobiles and the like which is not subject to thedeficiencies attendant the prior art mechanical devices. An exemplarysystem according to the present invention uses a plurality of expansiblefluid conduits which are sequentially disposed along a preselected pathfor the automobile in combination with means for sequentially supplyingfluid pressure to the conduits to cause them to engage the wheels of anautomobile by progressive inflation thereby applying a longitudinalforce to the wheels to move the automobile along the selected path. Byincorporated of a plurality of sequentially disposed conduits, severalautomobiles may be concurrently accommodated along the preselected path.

It will be appreciated that the conveyors of this invention do not usemechanical chains or the like, and consequently, are free of noise, wearand lubrication problems associated with the prior art mechanicaldevices. Additionally, proper engagement with the automobile tire isassured, and therefore, the danger of damage to the automobile by use ofthe conveying system of this invention is practically non-existent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an overall side view,partially in schematic, of a conveying system according to thisinvention shown with an automobile in positional relationship therewith:

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a car wash conveying systemaccording to this invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a conveyor systemaccording to this invention taken generally along the lines 3-3 of FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a portion of the conveying system of FIG.1;

FIG. 5 is a partially cut away view of an automatic pressure valvesystem suitable for use in the conveying system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a contacting valve control which may beused as a substitute for the automatic pressure valve system of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1, a conveyingsystem 10 is shown which may be used to move an automobile 12 or thelike along a preselected path defined by a U-channel 14 which is adaptedto receive and guide the wheels of the automobile along the preselectedpath. With additional reference to FIGS. 2-4, it can be seen that theU-channel 14 contains an expansible fluid conduit 16 which may beconstructed of rubberized fabric material using essentially the sameconstruction techniques as used for the fire hoses and the like. In itscollapsed state wherein the fluid pressure within the conduit 16 is at aminimum, the conduit lies substantially flat as shown. A flexible belt18 is positioned on top of the conduit 16 and has a plurality oflongitudinally-spaced rigid cleats 20 affixed thereto extendingtransversely the belt for a purpose to be described. For example, thecleats 20 may be fastened to the belt 18 by rivets 22 as illustrated inFIG. 3. Each of the conduits 16 has an inlet end 24 which is connectedto an inlet pipe 26 and an outlet end 28 which communicates with a sumpor reservoir for fluid egressing from the conduit 16. The inlet conduit26 has an interposed control valve 30 which is described in detail withrespect to FIG. 5. The inlet pipes 26 communicate with a common pressuresupply manifold 32 which communicates with a pump or source of fluidpressure 34 through a main shut off valve 36. The pump 34 communicatesor receives fluid from a reservoir 38 by means of a supply conduit 40.Preferably, the reservoir 38 received the return flow from the outlets28 of the expansible conduits 16. The conduits 16 are sequentiallyarranged within the U- channel 14, preferably with a minimum gap betweensuccessive conduits 16. The length of the individual conduits 16 isestablished such that one of the front or rear wheels of a vehicle beingconveyed by the system 10 is disposed intermediate the ends of a conduit16 at all times. That is to say, the length of the conduits 16 areselected with respect to the range of wheel bases of the vehicles to beconveyed along the channel 14 such that the front and rear wheels of thevehicle are not simultaneously aligned with the gap between adjacentconduits 16. In this manner, at least one of the front or rear wheels ofthe vehicle is receiving a conveying force at all times. It has beenfound that in most installations, a length between gaps of approximately6 feet is satisfactory.

The operation of the system 10 can best be seen with respect to FIGS. 1and 5. Fluid under pressure, preferably a liquid, is introduced in tothe inlets 24 of the flexible conduits 16. The flow of fluid isrestricted at the location of the wheels of the vehicle by virtue of thedownward force exerted on the conduit by the wheels 16. In this regard,the downward force is transmitted through the ridges 20 and the flexiblebelt 18. It will be appreciated that wheels or tires of varying widthare accommodated by the rigid ridges 20 which transfer the force exertedby the wheel across the entire lateral width of the conduit 16 to effectefficient flow restriction. The interruption or restriction of fluidflow atthe wheels causes a pressure increase upstream of the restrictionwhich expands the flexible conduit 16 so that increased pheripheralengagement of the wheels of the vehicle is effected. The expansion isprogressive to impose a longitudinally acting force on the wheel whichis derived from the fluid pressure within the conduits 16. Thelongitudinally acting force causes the wheel to roll along the channel14 away from the expanding conduit 16 which allows continued progressiveexpansion of the conduit 16 to further roll the wheel along the channel14.

Although it is possible to maintain a constant operational flow throughthe conduit 16 to move the vehicle 12 along the intended path, it ispreferred not to use full operational flow except when a vehicle is inposition to be conveyed in order to conserve fluid pressure and power.This may be accomplished, for example, by a pressure operated ormechanically operated valve. In FIG. 5, a pressure operated valveassembly 30 is shown. The valve assembly 30 includes a valve 46 having apivotally mounted operating lever 48 which restricts flow of fluidthrough the valve 46 when in the horizontal position shown by solidlines in FIG. 3 and allows the flow of fluid through the valve 46 whenin the downward position illustrated by dotted lines. The pressureresponsive valve assembly 30 further includes a bypass line 50 connectedin parallel with the valve 46 for permitting a small residual or sensingflow of fluid through the inlet line 26 to bypass the valve 46. Theinlet line 26 has a pressure tap S2 down-stream of the valve 46 whichcommunicates with a chamber 54 provided by the combination of a cylinder56 and a piston 58 sealings by engaging the cylinder 56. The piston 58is operatively connected to the lever 48 by a piston rod 60 whichengages an elongated slot 62 in the lever 48. The piston 58 is biasedupwardly by a coiled spring member 64 which consequently biases thelever 48 to the valve-closed position. It can be seen from FIG. that thepressure communicated to the chamber 54 through the pressure tap 52 actsagainst the piston 58 to urge the lever 48 to the valve-opened position.When no vehicle is positioned on the flexible conduit 16, the pressureestablished by the bypass flow through the bypass line 50 is fullyopposed by the spring 64 such that the lever 48 remains in thevalve-closed position. When a vehicle wheel 42 or 44 is positioned onone of the expansible conduits 16, the pressure in the expansibleconduit 16 toward the inlet end 24, increases by virtue of therestruction of the sensing flow through the conduit 16. The pressureincrease is transmitted to the chamber 54 through the pressure tap '52to cause downward movement of the piston 58 against the force exerted bythe spring 64 to open the valve 46 and cause increased fluidtransmission to the inlet line 26. The consequent increased pressure inthe conduit 16, i. e. full operational pressure, causes efficientmovement of the vehicle 12 along the pathway for the vehicle. When thevehicle 12 has moved such that the wheel 42 or 4-4 is no longerpositioned on the fluid conduit 16, the pressure within the conduit 16is released through the outlet 28. The pressure decrease is transmittedthrough the pressure tap 52 to the chamber 54 to allow the spring 64 toreturn the lever 48 to the valve-closed position. In view of the aboveexplanation, it can be seen then that only a minimal or sensing flow isrequired through the conduit 16 until such time that a vehicle wheel 42or 44 is positioned on the conduit 16, at which time the pressuresensitive valve 30 provides full operational fluid flow to the conduit16. Ac-

cordingly, the pressure at the pressure pump at is conserved since theflow path to the conduit 16 is not fully opened until the vehicle 12 ispositioned on the pathway. It will be further appreciated that thepressure loss is still minimal when the vehicle wheel is on a flexibleconduit 16 even through full fluid pressure is delivered to the conduit16 since the flow of fluid through the conduit 16 is substantiallyrestricted under that condition. Hence, the exemplary conveying system10 according to this invention is exceptionally efficient.

The pressure sensitive valve assembly 30 may be replaced by mechanicalposition sensor in combination with a valve operated by the positionsensor such as is illustrated at 64 in FIG. 6. The valve assembly 64 mayhave a position sensor 66 including pivotally mounted rod 68 of nylon orthe like projecting into the path of the vehicle for engagement thereby.For example, the rod 68 may extend vertically as shown for engagement bythe bumper of the vehicle. Upon engagement with the vehicle, the rod 68is movable to a position whereby a valve 70 in the inlet line 26 isopened. For example, the sensor 66 may include a pilot valve orelectrical switch and may be operatively connected to the valve 70 by afluid or electrical line 72, respectively. Preferably, the sensor 66 isspaced with respect to a gap between the conduits 16 so that the valve70 is not opened until one of the vehicle wheels is in position on theconduit 16 for forward movement under the influence of a pressureincrease in the expandible conduit 16.

In view of the foregoing description of an exemplary conveying system 10according to this invention, it will be appreciated that an efficientconveying system is provided which does not require mechanical conveyingchains and drives for its operation, and accordingly, does notexperience the wear, lubrication and noise problems associated withthose devices nor does it have the propensity to damage the conveyedarticles as found in prior art devices. Moreover, the conveying systemuses a fluid pressure system as its source of power which are commonlyfound in automatic automobile washing installations. Accordingly, onlyone power source is needed for both cleaning and conveying of thevehicles which further contributes to the savings realized byincorporation of a conveying system 10 according to the invention.

Although this conveying system has been described with respect to anautomatic automatic automobile washing system for which it is ideallysuited, it has many other applications where it is desirable to providea low-cost, efficient system.

While it will be apparent that the teachings herein are well calculatedto teach one skilled in the art the method of making the preferredembodiments of this invention, it will be appreciated that the inventionis susceptible to modification, variation and change without departingform the proper scope or meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A system for concurrently conveying a plurality of articles each ofwhich having at least two support locations being spaced along apreselected path with a predetermined distance therebetween comprising:a plurality of fluid conduits which are sequentially disposed along saidpath and are expansible in response to fluid pressure therein, each ofsaid conduits having an inlet and an outlet, said conduits being adaptedfor positioning of said articles thereon with said support cations alongsaid preselected path for restriction of fluid flow through saidconduits at said support locations, the length of said conduits and thedisposition thereof along said path being selected in accordance withsaid predetermined distance so that at least one of support locationsbeing always on one of said conduits whereby a conveying force ismaintained on said articles at all times; and means connected to saidinlets which are adapted to be connected operable in combination withsaid plurality of conduits for establishing a conveying force which isexerted on said at least one of said support locations including meansfor connecting said inlet to a source of fluid for delivering said fluidto said inlets so that the positioning of at least one of said supportlocations on one of said conduits restricts the flow of said fluidthrough said one conduit to create a pressure increase between said atleast one of said support locations and said inlet of said one conduitcausing said one conduit to expand to exert said conveying force on saidone of said support locations.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said means for establishing aconveying force includes means for sensing when an article is positionedon one of said conduits.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein said means for establishing aconveying force supplies fluid to said inlet for said one conduit inresponse to said article being positioned on said conduit.

4. A system according to claim 2 wherein said means for establishing aconveying force provides a sensing flow through said conduits, saidpressure between said at least one support location and said inletincreases in response to saidarticle being positioned thereon, and saidmeans for establishing a conveying force increases said flow of fluid inresponse to said pressure increase.

5. A system according to claim 4 wherein said means for establishing aconveying force includes a pressure valve for each conduit, each of saidvalves being connected to a respective one of said inlets for deliveryof said fluid to the respective one of said conduits when said valve isopened, said valves being openable in response to the pressure increasein the respective one of said conduits so that an article positioned onone of said conduits causing a pressure increase in said one conduit byrestriction of said sensing flow to open said valve to increase the flowof fluid to said one conduit.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein said means for establishing aconveying force further includes a fluid passage bypassing said valvefor providing said sensing flow.

7. A system according to claim 2 wherein said article is positionable onsaid conduit at spaced locations along said preselected path, the lengthof said conduits being disposed along said path being less than thedistance between said spaced locations with said length being selectedso that at least one of said locations being always on one of saidconduits whereby a conveying force is maintained on said article at alltimes.

8. A system according to claim 7 wherein said article is an automobilehaving at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel, saidconduits being adapted to have said wheels positioned thereon, andspaced locations being at said wheels.

9. A system for concurrently conveying an automobile having at least onefront wheel and at least one rear wheel disposed along a preselectedpath comprising: a plurality of fluid conduits which are sequentiallydisposed along said path and are expansible in response to fluidpressure therein, each of said conduits having an inlet and an outlet,said conduits being adapted for positioning of said wheels thereon atspaced locations along said preselected path, the length of saidconduits being disposed along said path being less than the distancebetween said spaced locations and being selected so that at least one ofsaid locations being always on one of said conduits whereby a conveyingforce is maintained on said automobile at all times; means operable incombination with said plurality of conduits for establishing a conveyingforce which is exerted on said one of said front or rear wheelsincluding means for connecting said inlets to a source of fluid fordelivering said fluid to said inlets so that the positioning of at leastone of said front and rear wheels on one of said conduits restricts theflow of said fluid through said one conduit to create a pressureincrease between said at least one of said front and rear wheels andsaid inlet of said one conduit causing said one conduit to expand toexert said conveying force on said one of said front or rear wheels,said means for establishing a conveying force on said one of said frontor rear wheels including means for sensing when an article is positionedon one of said conduits; and means disposed between said one of saidfront and rear wheels and said conduits extending transversely of saidconduits for applying a force exerted thereon by said one of said frontand rear wheels to substantially the entire transverse dimension of saidconduit whereby efiective restriction of fluid flow through said conduitis attained.

10. A system according to claim 9 further including flexible belt meanson said conduits and wherein said transverse means are a plurality ofrigid, cleats disposed transversely of said conduit and longitudinallyspaced along said preselected path.

11. A system according to claim 10 wherein said 'means for establishinga conveying force supplies fluid to each of said inlets for saidconduits on which said wheels are positioned.

12. A system according to claim 10 wherein said means for establishing aconveying force provides a sensing flow through said conduits, saidpressure between said at least one support location and said inletincreases in response to said article being positioned thereon, and saidmeans for establishing a conveying force increases said flow of fluid inresponse to said pressure increases.

13. A system according to claim 12 wherein said means for establishing aconveying force includes a pressure valve for each conduit, each of saidvalves being connected to a respective one of said inlets for deliveryof said fluid to the respective one of said conduits when said valve isopened, said valves being openable in response to the pressure increasein the respective one of said conduits so that pressure increase isestablished in each of said conduits when said wheels are positionedthereon by restriction of said sensing flow to open said valve toincrease the flow of fluid to each of said conduits on which said wheelsare positioned.

14. A system according to claim 13 wherein said means for establishing aconveying force further includes a fluid passage for each valvebypassing said each valve for providing said sensing flow.

15. A system for concurrently conveying a plurality of automobiles eachof which having at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheeldisposed along a preselected path, said automobiles having-apredetermined range of wheelbase dimensions between said front and rearwheels comprising: a plurality of fluid conduits which are sequentiallydisposed along said path and are expansible in response to fluidpressure therein, each of said conduits having an inlet and an outlet,said conduits being adapted for positioning of said wheels thereon atspaced locations along said preselected path, the length of saidconduits and the disposition thereof along said path being selected inaccordance with said range of wheelbase dimensions so that saidlocations for each said front and rear wheels being always on one ofsaid conduits whereby a conveying force is maintained on saidautomobiles at all times; and means operable in combination with saidplurality of conduits for establishing a conveying force which isexerted on said one of said front or rear wheels including means forconnecting said inlet to a source of fluid for delivering said fluid tosaid inlets so that the positioning of at least one of said front andrear wheels on one of said conduits restricts the flow of said fluidthrough said one conduit to create a pressure between said at least oneof said front and rear wheels and said inlet of said one conduit causingsaid one conduit to expand to exert said conveying force on said one ofsaid front or rear wheels.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein each of said conduits haveopposite ends and wherein said conduits are disposed along saidpreselected path with adjacent ends of said conduits being closelyspaced, and wherein the length of said conduits is selected to bedifferent than said range of wheelbase dimensions.

17. The system in accordance with claim 16 wherein said lengths of saidconduits is selected to be substantially smaller than said range ofwheelbase dimensions.

18. A system for conveying an article along a preselected pathcomprising: a fluid conduit disposed along said path which is expansiblein response to fluid pressure therein, said fluid conduit having aninlet and an outlet and being adapted for positioning of said articlethereon for restricting fluid flow therethrough at said article; andmeans operable in combination with said conduit for sensing thepositioning of an article on said conduit and for establishing aconveying force which is exerted on said article including means forconnecting said inlet to a source of fluid for delivering fluid to saidinlet so that the positioning of said article on said conduit restrictsthe flow of said fluid through said conduit to create a pressureincrease between said article and said inlet of said conduit causingsaid conduit to expand to exert said conveying force on said article,said means establishing a conveying force providing a sensing flow and aconveying flow through said conduit at selected times with said sensingflow being substantially less than said conveying flow, the restrictionof said sensing flow through said conduit providing a pressure increasebetween said article and said inlet,

said means for establishing a conyeying force further including meansresponsive to said pressure increase caused by said article beingpositioned on said conduit for establishing said conveying flow.

19. According to claim 18 wherein said means responsive to said pressureincrease is a pressure sensitive valve means for increasing said flowfrom said source to said inlet consequent said pressure increase.

20. A conveying system for concurrently conveying a plurality ofautomobiles, each having at least one wheel disposed along a preselectedpath comprising: a plurality of fluid conduits which are sequentiallydisposed along said path and are expansible in response to fluidpressure therein, each of said conduits having an inlet and an outlet,and conduits being adapted for positioning of said one wheel thereon andfor restriction of fluid flow therethrough at said one wheel, said pathbeing sufficiently long so as to accommodate a plurality of automobiles,said conduits having a predetermined length and being disposed so thatthe wheels of respective ones of said plurality of automobiles arepositioned on separate ones of said plurality of conduits whereby saidplurality of automobiles can be concurrently conveyed along said path;means connected to said inlets which is adapted to be connected to asource of fluid for delivering said fluid to said inlets so that one ofsaid wheels being positioned on one of said conduits restricts the flowof said fluid through said one conduit to create a pressure increasebetween said one wheel and said inlet of said one conduit causing saidone conduit to expand to exert to conveying force on said one wheel.

21. A system for conveying an automobile having wheel of predeterminedtransverse dimension disposed along a preselected path comprising: afluid conduit disposed along said path which is expansible in responseto fluid pressure therein, said conduit having an inlet and an outlet,and conduit being adapted for positioning of said one wheel thereon andfor restriction of fluid flow therethrough at said one wheel positionedthereon; said fluid conduit having transverse dimension at least whennot expanded which is greater than said wheel transverse dimension, saidfluid conduit further including means disposed between said wheel andsaid conduit extending transversely of said conduit for applying a forceexerted thereon by said wheel to substantially the entire transversedimension of said conduit whereby effective restriction of fluid flowthrough said conduit is attained; and means connected to said inletwhich is adapted to be connected to a source of fluid for deliveringsaid fluid to said inlet so that said one wheel positioned on one ofsaid conduits restricts the flow of said fluid through said conduit tocreate a pressure increase between said one wheel and said inlet of saidconduit causing said conduit to expand to exert a conveying force onsaid one wheel.

a: a: a

1. A system for concurrently conveying a plurality of articles each ofwhich having at least two support locations being spaced along apreselected path with a predetermined distance therebetween comprising:a plurality of fluid conduits which are sequentially disposed along saidpath and are expansible in response to fluid pressure therein, each ofsaid conduits having an inlet and an outlet, said conduits being adaptedfor positioning of said articles thereon with said support locationsalong said preselected path for restriction of fluid flow through saidconduits at said support locations, the length of said conduits and thedisposition thereof along said path being selected in accordance withsaid predetermined distance so that at least one of support locationsbeing always on one of said conduits whereby a conveying force ismaintained on said articles at all times; and means connected to saidinlets which are adapted to be connected operable in combination withsaid plurality of conduits for establishing a conveying force which isexerted on said at least one of said support locations including meansfor connecting said inlet to a source of fluid for delivering said fluidto said inlets so that the positioning of at least one of said supportlocations on one of said conduits restricts the flow of said fluidthrough said one conduit to create a pressure increase between said atleast one of said support locations and said inlet of said one conduitcausing said one conduit to expand to exert said conveying force on saidone of said support locations.
 2. A system according to claim 1 whereinsaid means for establishing a conveying force includes means for sensingwhen an article is positioned on one of Said conduits.
 3. A systemaccording to claim 2 wherein said means for establishing a conveyingforce supplies fluid to said inlet for said one conduit in response tosaid article being positioned on said conduit.
 4. A system according toclaim 2 wherein said means for establishing a conveying force provides asensing flow through said conduits, said pressure between said at leastone support location and said inlet increases in response to saidarticle being positioned thereon, and said means for establishing aconveying force increases said flow of fluid in response to saidpressure increase.
 5. A system according to claim 4 wherein said meansfor establishing a conveying force includes a pressure valve for eachconduit, each of said valves being connected to a respective one of saidinlets for delivery of said fluid to the respective one of said conduitswhen said valve is opened, said valves being openable in response to thepressure increase in the respective one of said conduits so that anarticle positioned on one of said conduits causing a pressure increasein said one conduit by restriction of said sensing flow to open saidvalve to increase the flow of fluid to said one conduit.
 6. A systemaccording to claim 5 wherein said means for establishing a conveyingforce further includes a fluid passage bypassing said valve forproviding said sensing flow.
 7. A system according to claim 2 whereinsaid article is positionable on said conduit at spaced locations alongsaid preselected path, the length of said conduits being disposed alongsaid path being less than the distance between said spaced locationswith said length being selected so that at least one of said locationsbeing always on one of said conduits whereby a conveying force ismaintained on said article at all times.
 8. A system according to claim7 wherein said article is an automobile having at least one front wheeland at least one rear wheel, said conduits being adapted to have saidwheels positioned thereon, and spaced locations being at said wheels. 9.A system for concurrently conveying an automobile having at least onefront wheel and at least one rear wheel disposed along a preselectedpath comprising: a plurality of fluid conduits which are sequentiallydisposed along said path and are expansible in response to fluidpressure therein, each of said conduits having an inlet and an outlet,said conduits being adapted for positioning of said wheels thereon atspaced locations along said preselected path, the length of saidconduits being disposed along said path being less than the distancebetween said spaced locations and being selected so that at least one ofsaid locations being always on one of said conduits whereby a conveyingforce is maintained on said automobile at all times; means operable incombination with said plurality of conduits for establishing a conveyingforce which is exerted on said one of said front or rear wheelsincluding means for connecting said inlets to a source of fluid fordelivering said fluid to said inlets so that the positioning of at leastone of said front and rear wheels on one of said conduits restricts theflow of said fluid through said one conduit to create a pressureincrease between said at least one of said front and rear wheels andsaid inlet of said one conduit causing said one conduit to expand toexert said conveying force on said one of said front or rear wheels,said means for establishing a conveying force on said one of said frontor rear wheels including means for sensing when an article is positionedon one of said conduits; and means disposed between said one of saidfront and rear wheels and said conduits extending transversely of saidconduits for applying a force exerted thereon by said one of said frontand rear wheels to substantially the entire transverse dimension of saidconduit whereby effective restriction of fluid flow through said conduitis attained.
 10. A system according to claim 9 further includingflexible belt meanS on said conduits and wherein said transverse meansare a plurality of rigid, cleats disposed transversely of said conduitand longitudinally spaced along said preselected path.
 11. A systemaccording to claim 10 wherein said means for establishing a conveyingforce supplies fluid to each of said inlets for said conduits on whichsaid wheels are positioned.
 12. A system according to claim 10 whereinsaid means for establishing a conveying force provides a sensing flowthrough said conduits, said pressure between said at least one supportlocation and said inlet increases in response to said article beingpositioned thereon, and said means for establishing a conveying forceincreases said flow of fluid in response to said pressure increases. 13.A system according to claim 12 wherein said means for establishing aconveying force includes a pressure valve for each conduit, each of saidvalves being connected to a respective one of said inlets for deliveryof said fluid to the respective one of said conduits when said valve isopened, said valves being openable in response to the pressure increasein the respective one of said conduits so that pressure increase isestablished in each of said conduits when said wheels are positionedthereon by restriction of said sensing flow to open said valve toincrease the flow of fluid to each of said conduits on which said wheelsare positioned.
 14. A system according to claim 13 wherein said meansfor establishing a conveying force further includes a fluid passage foreach valve bypassing said each valve for providing said sensing flow.15. A system for concurrently conveying a plurality of automobiles eachof which having at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheeldisposed along a preselected path, said automobiles having apredetermined range of wheelbase dimensions between said front and rearwheels comprising: a plurality of fluid conduits which are sequentiallydisposed along said path and are expansible in response to fluidpressure therein, each of said conduits having an inlet and an outlet,said conduits being adapted for positioning of said wheels thereon atspaced locations along said preselected path, the length of saidconduits and the disposition thereof along said path being selected inaccordance with said range of wheelbase dimensions so that saidlocations for each said front and rear wheels being always on one ofsaid conduits whereby a conveying force is maintained on saidautomobiles at all times; and means operable in combination with saidplurality of conduits for establishing a conveying force which isexerted on said one of said front or rear wheels including means forconnecting said inlet to a source of fluid for delivering said fluid tosaid inlets so that the positioning of at least one of said front andrear wheels on one of said conduits restricts the flow of said fluidthrough said one conduit to create a pressure between said at least oneof said front and rear wheels and said inlet of said one conduit causingsaid one conduit to expand to exert said conveying force on said one ofsaid front or rear wheels.
 16. A system according to claim 15 whereineach of said conduits have opposite ends and wherein said conduits aredisposed along said preselected path with adjacent ends of said conduitsbeing closely spaced, and wherein the length of said conduits isselected to be different than said range of wheelbase dimensions. 17.The system in accordance with claim 16 wherein said lengths of saidconduits is selected to be substantially smaller than said range ofwheelbase dimensions.
 18. A system for conveying an article along apreselected path comprising: a fluid conduit disposed along said pathwhich is expansible in response to fluid pressure therein, said fluidconduit having an inlet and an outlet and being adapted for positioningof said article thereon for restricting fluid flow therethrough at saidarticle; and means operable in combination with said conduit for sensingthe Positioning of an article on said conduit and for establishing aconveying force which is exerted on said article including means forconnecting said inlet to a source of fluid for delivering fluid to saidinlet so that the positioning of said article on said conduit restrictsthe flow of said fluid through said conduit to create a pressureincrease between said article and said inlet of said conduit causingsaid conduit to expand to exert said conveying force on said article,said means establishing a conveying force providing a sensing flow and aconveying flow through said conduit at selected times with said sensingflow being substantially less than said conveying flow, the restrictionof said sensing flow through said conduit providing a pressure increasebetween said article and said inlet, said means for establishing aconveying force further including means responsive to said pressureincrease caused by said article being positioned on said conduit forestablishing said conveying flow.
 19. According to claim 18 wherein saidmeans responsive to said pressure increase is a pressure sensitive valvemeans for increasing said flow from said source to said inlet consequentsaid pressure increase.
 20. A conveying system for concurrentlyconveying a plurality of automobiles, each having at least one wheeldisposed along a preselected path comprising: a plurality of fluidconduits which are sequentially disposed along said path and areexpansible in response to fluid pressure therein, each of said conduitshaving an inlet and an outlet, and conduits being adapted forpositioning of said one wheel thereon and for restriction of fluid flowtherethrough at said one wheel, said path being sufficiently long so asto accommodate a plurality of automobiles, said conduits having apredetermined length and being disposed so that the wheels of respectiveones of said plurality of automobiles are positioned on separate ones ofsaid plurality of conduits whereby said plurality of automobiles can beconcurrently conveyed along said path; means connected to said inletswhich is adapted to be connected to a source of fluid for deliveringsaid fluid to said inlets so that one of said wheels being positioned onone of said conduits restricts the flow of said fluid through said oneconduit to create a pressure increase between said one wheel and saidinlet of said one conduit causing said one conduit to expand to exert toconveying force on said one wheel.
 21. A system for conveying anautomobile having wheel of predetermined transverse dimension disposedalong a preselected path comprising: a fluid conduit disposed along saidpath which is expansible in response to fluid pressure therein, saidconduit having an inlet and an outlet, and conduit being adapted forpositioning of said one wheel thereon and for restriction of fluid flowtherethrough at said one wheel positioned thereon; said fluid conduithaving transverse dimension at least when not expanded which is greaterthan said wheel transverse dimension, said fluid conduit furtherincluding means disposed between said wheel and said conduit extendingtransversely of said conduit for applying a force exerted thereon bysaid wheel to substantially the entire transverse dimension of saidconduit whereby effective restriction of fluid flow through said conduitis attained; and means connected to said inlet which is adapted to beconnected to a source of fluid for delivering said fluid to said inletso that said one wheel positioned on one of said conduits restricts theflow of said fluid through said conduit to create a pressure increasebetween said one wheel and said inlet of said conduit causing saidconduit to expand to exert a conveying force on said one wheel.